New process for utilizing stem fibers



siderably reduced.

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CA3LOS ERNESTO BAHRE, 01' BUENOS AIBES, ARGENTINA NIW'PBOCESS FOB UTILIZING STEM FIBERS Io Drawing.

The object of this invention is the provision of a simple practical, economical process for treating rawplant fiber to transform it into fleecy, shiny and durable s inning material.

5 It is known that plantv bers can be improved by a treatmentgwith caustic potash or soda, hot or cold, under normal or high pressure.

The object of this treatment is the loosening 9 from the fibers by the caustic, thereby restorin theflexibility of the fibers.

l3ut this treatme'nt is not very practicable and does not restore to the fibers their natural flexibility. These oil emulsions do not guarantee very much protection from the caustic, because if a small quantity of oil is -'used its influence is negatived by reason of its being saponified, and if a large quantity is used the action of the caustic is impaired by 80 saponification to a point, where it will not disintegrate the plant structure.

After many years of experimentation, it-

cured by Letters Patent is has been found that if cholesterin either in a 4 free state or mixed with other substances, be mixed with caustic hath, no saponification takes place, the caustic action is not diminished and the fiber retains its natural condition after treatment.

The cholesterin moreover, because of its strong protective quality, permits the use of much stronger caustic and higher tempera? ture than was hitherto permissible. For this:

" reason the time of disintegration can'be con- It. has also been found that cholesterin exerts its protective properties when the disintegration is efiected with strong ammoniacal solutions -or alkaline carbonates, both 0.0 of which are very efiicient for this purpose.

Applicationflled December 9, 1927. Serial No. asam.

A further advantage of the use of cholesterm has in the fact that, because it does not sapomfy, it can be used repeatedly without any need for renewal. This renders the process highly economical.

The cholesterin may be added, as such, or substances containin it, such as fish oil, egg yolk or egg oil, may e used. In the followlng example, the quantities of materials used are merely illustrative and are not to be taken as necessary limitations.

Ewa/mple The raw material, is introduced into an autoclave, sprayed with a stron caustic solu- .tion containing 10 grams of c olesterin per liter, and cooked in this solution for 12 hours at a pressure of 8 atmos heres.--

The concentration oi the disintegrating solution and the conditions of working vary with the type of raw material treated, and the disintegrating solution used.

The disintegrated raw material is removed from the bath, washed till the caustic is completely removed and dried at a low temperature preferably in vacuum.

The resulting product has unlimited durability and is valuable as a spinning material, being capable of immediate utilizatlon.

Having thus described the invention and Y the manner in which it is to be performed,

what is claimed as new and desired to be se- 1. The process of disintegrating fibrous material which comprises treating 1t with a strongly alkaline solution containing cholesterm.

2 I 1,7ao,4e1-

stance selected fromthe group consisting of fish oil egg yolk and e g oil. 5. The process of 'nte ating fibrous material which comprises b0 ing it under a hi h pressure, with a concentrated caustic so ution containing a substance selected from the gnfimp consisting of fish oil, egg yolk and egg 0 1 CARLOS ERNESTO BAHREL 

